Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such, there is no law.
Revised Standard Version (RSV)
Galatians 5:21-24
Fear not, Earth! Be glad and celebrate! God has done great things.… Read the rest “Fruit of the Spirit – a Devotion by Marci McGowan”
Proverbs 14:30 A sound mind makes for a robust body, but runaway emotions corrode the bones.
This year, the Christmas of 2018 has seemed to be anything but joyful. My husband is going through bout with infection that I thought had been cleared during his stay at the hospital back in September of 2018. … Read the rest “Christmas, Ready or Not – a devotion by Marci McGowan”
cat·a·lyst
/ˈkad(ə)ləst/
noun
noun: catalyst; plural noun: catalysts
From the ministry of housekeeping
Servants, do what you’re told by your earthly masters. And don’t just do the minimum that will get you by. Do your best. Work from the heart for your real Master, for God, confident that you’ll get paid in full when you come into your inheritance.… Read the rest “A Servant’s Heart”
In the Bible darkness is not just darkness; it is a powerful metaphor.
Darkness is viewed as the opposite of light – sin and evil versus righteousness and good. Darkness symbolizes moral corruption and its punishment, trouble and suffering, and death.… Read the rest “When Darkness is just Darkness; a devotional by Rev. Amy Grogan April 12, 2018”
While they were talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” They were startled and terrified, and thought that they were seeing a ghost. He said to them, “Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts?… Read the rest “The Resurrection Life, a Devotional by Rev. Amy Grogan”
The Amazing Easter Egg
… Read the rest “The Amazing Easter Egg, an Easter Devotional by Rev. Amy Grogan”When the sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven
Matthew 5:3 NRSV
Then he looked up at his disciples and said:
“Blessed are you who are poor,
for yours is the kingdom of God.
“Blessed are you who are hungry now,
for you will be filled.… Read the rest “The Color of Easter – a devotion by Marci McGowan”
If God didn’t think twice about taking pruning shears to the natural branches, why would he hesitate over you? He wouldn’t give it a second thought. Make sure you stay alert to these qualities of gentle kindness and ruthless severity that exist side by side in God—ruthless with the deadwood, gentle with the grafted shoot.… Read the rest “A Lenten Pause: The Master Gardener – a devotion by Marci McGowan”
The changing of the guard is always hard;
whether it be in civilian, religious, or military life.
It is to ourselves that we must first show mercy.
At the retreat center where I work, we are getting a new “gatekeeper.” This is the main security person who works at the front gate.… Read the rest “The Changing of the Guard: A Lenten Preface”